Lord Carlile to lead youth court inquiry

Chaired by Lord Carlile QC and administered by the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) and Michael Sieff Foundation, the inquiry will hear evidence from youth justice and legal experts, as well as young people with experience of the youth court system.

The cross-party parliamentary panel made up of MPs Sarah Teather, Angela Watkinson and Robert Buckland, plus Lord Bach, Baroness Lane-Fox and Baroness Greengross, will hold a number of oral evidence hearings over the winter, with a report published in spring 2014.

Youth courts are a special type of magistrates’ court for young people aged between 10 and 18 charged with offences such as theft, antisocial behaviour and drugs-related crime. They are closed to the public, presided over by either a judge or three magistrates and a parent or guardian must accompany the young person.

Despite being child-friendly, youth courts have been criticised for not dealing effectively with young offenders, and the inquiry will give particular attention to high reoffending rates – seven out of 10 under-18s who leave custody go on to commit further offences.

The inquiry, which runs until spring 2014, will also evaluate whether the current system adequately protects the welfare of young people, and if crown courts are appropriate settings for dealing with serious crimes committed by young people.

Lord Carlile said the inquiry will “go to the heart” of the youth justice system in England and Wales.

“It will examine the effectiveness of the youth court system, in particular its wider role in preventing youth crime,” he added.

“We want to see an improved youth court that better addresses youth offending, and delivers a better deal for victims and wider society.”

The inquiry has been launched in response to high-profile cases, such as that of the Edlington brothers, that highlighted the lack of consideration courts give to an offenders' welfare problems.